World Cup kicks off

World Cup kicks off

BBC Online

Performers take part in the opening ceremony of the 2014 FIFA World Cup at the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo on June 12 prior to the opening Group A football match between Brazil and Croatia. Photo: AFP/Getty Images

The 2014 Fifa World Cup officially got under way on Thursday with a colourful opening ceremony before hosts Brazil kicked off against Croatia.

A cast of 660 dancers paid tribute to the country's nature, people and football with a show around a "living" ball on the Arena de Sao Paulo pitch.

The final act saw a performance of official World Cup song "We Are One" by Jennifer Lopez and rapper Pitbull.

The month-long tournament sees 32 nations compete in 64 games.

Many fans took to the streets to sing and chant their support for Brazil as excitement built in the hours before the tournament began.

But there were also demonstrations from those unhappy with the expense of hosting the tournament.

Performers take part in the opening ceremony of the 2014 FIFA World Cup at the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo on June 12 prior to the opening Group A football match between Brazil and Croatia. Photo: AFP/Getty Images

Police in Sao Paulo had to use tear gas to break up one protest, which involved about 50 people, while striking airport workers in Rio de Janeiro blocked a road outside the airport, demanding a wage increase and a World Cup bonus.

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The strike was to have lasted for 24 hours but union leaders called it off early for legal reasons.

However, there was no trouble within the 65,000-seater Arena de Sao Paulo during the opening ceremony.

Performers dressed as trees, flowers and various musical instruments all performed in three acts before the central ball opened to reveal singers Claudia Leitte, Jennifer Lopez and rapper Pitbull as they sang the official World Cup song as the finale.

The opening game of the tournament between Brazil and Croatia kicks off at 21:00 BST.

No host nation have ever lost their opening World Cup game, with the previous 20 opening games producing 14 victories and six draws for the hosts.

England open their World Cup campaign against Italy on Saturday, 14 June - a game you can see live on the BBC in the UK.

Roy Hodgson's team will also play Uruguay and Costa Rica in their Group D fixtures.

Hosts Brazil start as favourites to win the World Cup for a sixth time, while holders Spain are aiming to win a fourth major tournament in a row after winning the European Championship two years ago.

The other seeded teams are Colombia, Uruguay, Switzerland, Argentina, Germany and Belgium.

Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker believes there are four teams with a realistic chance of winning the tournament.

"I have a feeling it will come down to four countries, although unfortunately I do not think one of them will be England," said former striker Lineker.

"I'm going for Germany, Spain, Argentina or Brazil but I feel that the pressure may well be a little too much for the host nation."

Governing body Fifa said it had sold more than 2.9 million tickets, but they were still available for several matches on Wednesday, including some involving Germany, Italy and France.